SDG&E Infrastructure Project Gets OK

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. obtained approval from the state Public Utilities Commission to construct an East County substation project, involving two electric substations in Jacumba and Boulevard connected by a 14-mile, 138-kilovolt transmission line, the company said June 21.

The substations along the newly activated Sunrise Powerlink transmission line will help boost electric reliability in the region and handle the delivery of renewable energy sources from Imperial County to San Diego, SDG&E said.

The project that will cost about $435 million includes a new 58-acre substation in Jacumba and reconstruction and modernization of an existing 50-year-old substation in Boulevard.

Construction, involving the hiring of 100 to 200 people over the next two years, is expected to begin later this year, the company said.

The infrastructure project will improve power reliability in Jacumba, Boulevard, parts of the Campo and La Posta Indian reservations, Manzanita, Bankhead Springs and Live Oak Springs.